I-stare at the trident, watching it glow in the cabinet.“Would you like me to come back tomorrow?” Dad asks.“Sorry.” I reach for the rod, and am immediately soothed by the warmth it sends through me. Even my stomach“That really is incredible,” Dad says. “I’ve connected with my weapon, but it doesn’t change colors like that.”“Does yours speak to you?”“Not in a conversational way.” He holds up his trident.“Consider yourself lucky,” I mumble.I heard that.“Good. We have a lot to talk about.”So I’ve gathered.“What do you mean?”People talk when in here.“Eavesdropper.”For your good. Did you know students and staff alike are genuinely worried about you?I snort. “Right.”They are. Even the one you call Earwig.“Now I know you’re pulling my leg.”Don’t use those land phrases with me.My dad clears his throat. “Why don’t you discuss this while we practice? Otherwise, there’s no point in me being here.”“Other than to allow me to be here. Can’t be here without a teacher, remember?”

You ready?” Isaac gives me his crooked smile that he could use to get me to do anything.I pull on my helmet. “Ready as I’m ever going to be.”We climb onto his bike and head into town. Mary helped us find a merwoman who is known for her knowledge of rarer spells—and what could be rarer than a spell to bring back the legendary powers of Mrs Walker.Isaac stops in front of a tiny, run-down house. A puff of smoke shoots out one of the windows—surely not an easy feat underwater.We put away the helmets and cross the yard with all kinds of junk strewn across it.I turn to him. “I apologize for ever calling your room a mess.”He chuckles, then knocks on the door once we reach it.Banging sounds from inside, followed by a scratchy voice. “Hold on!”Isaac and I exchange a curious glance.The door flings open, and a frazzled grey-haired merwoman stares at us. “What do you want?”“Pearl Lancaster?Isaac asks.“Yeah. Who’s askin’?”I clear my throat. “I’m sorry if we’re bothering you. My name is

Go for it.” He cocks a brow.I don’t know why I’m so nervous. But I ignore my shaking hands and pull up on the bottom of his shirt until it comes all the way off. My stomach tingles and I manage to focus my attention on the new tattoo. I run my fingertip around it, careful not to bother the irritated skin. Then I look up at him and swallow. “I love it, but I hope you don’t end up regretting it.”“Why would I? Should I be worried about something?”“No. I only ever want to be with you, but—”“But nothing.” He pulls me close and kisses me.I lose myself in the moment and run my palms down his perfect arms.Voices sound down the path. Isaac pulls away and puts his shirt back on. Earwyn and her dogfish pass us, but instead of shooting me a glare she stops and gives me a sympathetic glance. “I hope your stomach is better.”Cove and Vanya nod and voice their agreement.“Uh, thanks.” I hardly know how to handle them acting nice.Earwyn glances over at Isaac and wrinkles her nose.“What?” he a

“It has.”Erica turns to me. “I hate to interrupt, but it looks like your driver is heading this way. Oh, and for what it’s worth, I’m in total agreement with Isaac.”“Thanks.”He kisses my cheek. “Keep us in mind if things get hard. Picture us in the stands screaming your name.I force a smile. “Thanks. But seriously, if things get hard? I’ve heard several people mention a sea dragon.”Isaac gives me his crooked smile. “Those things don’t exist.”“People used to think the same thing about Mrs Walker until I basically turned into her.”He runs his fingertips along my jawline and gazes into my eyes. “You didn't turn into her. You’re Mila , and you have your own strengths and powers. Did she have the Mila power? Did she have Erica and me on her side? No, she didn’t. You’re going to be greater than she ever was—so much so that people will forget all about her. Thousands of years in the future, people will whisper rumors about you alone.”“I think you give me too much credit.”He starts t

Ever.The audience gets louder and louder, making it impossible to think. I grab a yellow piece and move it. My stomach knots. I’ve moved without a solid strategy.Cheers and applause replace the pleas to move.My pulse pounds in my ears as I consider my next move. It has to be a green gem. And if I place it on the wrong circle, I lose. In front of everyone.The viewers grow antsy before long, and without putting any thought into it, I move a green piece. Then a blue one. I barely take the time to breathe before I continue along, going around the board, moving each gem in order. The crowd grows even louder each time I take another turn.Much to my surprise, I haven’t blocked any of the pieces yet. Each one has two possible moves. The noise makes it hard to think, but somehow just moving them without too much thought is actually working. Each color is getting closer to the other side, and I haven’t blocked any of them.Before I know it, the blues are all in their places. My breath hitc